It's none of my business Andy, but what serial number did you end up with?
25 yards, unsupported
First shot:
Video of first shot:
https://youtu.be/5QndvEKCEAo
I could only get one shot off - I had a failure to extract (not a problem with the pistol - I was holding lightly so I could get the most accurate shot) and after clearing the fired case I couldn't get the damn bolt open again.
Just like being there with the video.
Thanks
AndyC,
Thanks for the pictures and video!
Sorry to hear about the problem. 😥
I wish I had the ability to take better video, but I was alone on the range and there was nothing to attach my phone to - I had to just try and balance it on the bench as best I could, but I'm glad it gave you a small idea of what it was like.
The cocking-piece is really slippery and the recoil-springs are really strong - I have an old TDE (with new Wolff springs) that's pretty easy to work.
It was a little annoying to not be able to shoot it more, but I had some .45acp handloads and a Talo Colt I've worked over but never really shot properly, so I threw 20 downrange at 25 yards too:
@andyc Thanks for sharing. It felt like being there. It would be good to know how you were eventually able to unlock the bolt.
I'll try it tomorrow - the side of my left-index finger is red and sore from yanking on the cocking-piece, so I'm giving it a rest for now.
I have a few observations that I didn't post before now:
1. The pistol feels GOOD in the hand. The back of the grips are nicely rounded, so it's very comfortable indeed.
2. The recoil, even with full-power SBR ammo, is noticeably lighter than my 6.5" - at a guess, I'd say it's cut down by about 10%.
3. Accuracy - superb. Even though I only fired a single shot, it was thrilling to see the result.
4. Trigger - a slight touch of creep but I can't use my pull-gauge on it - because I can't check the chamber to make darn sure it's empty.
You should be able to place the gun muzzle-down against a block of wood, and push down on the back of the grip. That will cause the barrel assembly and bolt to both move rearward, and the bolt to unlock. Then you should be able to pull it back?
I did that, Mike, and it works - it shouldn't be necessary, though. I'm 175 lbs and I had to lean almost my entire body-weight down onto it - and then try to maintain that pressure one-handed while retracting the cocking-piece with the other.
Yeah, that ain’t right. As an original AM owner you have the luxury of knowing exactly how it SHOULD be. Has the issue been resolved? It may need to return to the Mother Ship to have them sort it out....
All is ok now 🙂
I called AM and spoke with Rob, and then Chris (production manager, I think). They made the points that yes, 1) the lockup is tight (for accuracy and longevity) and 2) springs are heavy (again longevity).
Chris taught me an interesting technique - similar to your advice - where one places one's thumb through the trigger-guard and uses that to push the pistol down onto a wood surface, then retract the bolt with the other hand. That can be done until the pistol has been broken-in through shooting, working the action, etc. They are working on a cocking-aid but that the manual method should be easy enough to do.
I also mentioned a stiff thumb-safety and Rob said to pull the hammer back all the way and put the safety on (which works) - Chris said the thumb-safety won't break, it's just tight by design and to put on gloves and work it up and down while leaving the hammer in its normal cocked position.
Neither of my original Auto Mags will permit me to just flick the safety on like a 1911. Although that is the design intent, in practice reportedly very few work that way. I have to gently pull the hammer back slightly and then the safety can be engaged.
They both snick off crisply, as one would hope. It’s a minor inconvenience at most....
